British funk exports the New Mastersounds are currently in the midst of a U.S. club tour. On both Friday and Saturday the group offered an extended two-set show at New Yorks Sullivan Hall where guitarist Melvin Sparks sat in for Idris off the groups new album _ Plug & Play_. The band first met the influential jazz/funk musician two weeks earlier when he played three shows at Leeds the Sela Bar with Lonnie Smith. Singer Dionne Charles also joined the usually instrumental group for a hefty portion of its performances both Friday and Saturday. The show was the official U.S. debut of the English singer, who is featured on _ Plug & Play_.

In other news, New Mastersounds recently released the album Live in San Francisco in Japan on P-Vine records. A worldwide digital release of Live in San Francisco is slated for release later this year. The group will appear at Roanoke, VAs Blue 5 tonight.